Common Name(s): Black Spruce Scientific Name: Picea mariana Distribution: Northern North America Tree Size: 30-50 ft (10-15 m) tall, 1-1.5 ft (.3-.5 m) trunk diameter Average Dried Weight: 28 lbs/ft3 (450 kg/m3) Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .38, .45 Janka Hardness: 520 lbf (2,320 N) Modulus of Rupture: 10,100 lbf/in2 (69.7 MPa) Elastic Modulus: 1,523,000 lbf/in2 (10.50 GPa) Crushing Strength: 5,410 lbf/in2 (37.3 MPa) Shrinkage: Radial: 4.1%, Tangential: 6.8%, Volumetric: 11.3%, T/R Ratio: 1.7 Color/Appearance: Black Spruce is typically a creamy white, with a hint of yellow. Grain/Texture: Black Spruce has a fine, even texture, and a consistently straight grain. Rot Resistance: Heartwood is rated as being slightly resistant to non-resistant to decay. Workability: Easy to work, as long as there are no knots present. Glues and finishes well, though it can give poor (blotchy and inconsistent) results when being stained due to its closed pore structure. A sanding sealer, gel stain, or toner is recommended when coloring Spruce. Odor: No characteristic odor. Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Spruce in the Picea genus has been reported as a sensitizer. Usually most common reactions simply include skin irritation and/or respiratory disorders. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust … Continue reading Black Spruce